Genk v Stuttgart preview

Stuttgart midfielder Raphael Holzhauser is preparing himself for a red-hot atmosphere when his side travel to Genk for the second leg of their Europa League last-32 clash.

The Bundesliga side head into Thursday's match (kick-off 6pm GMT) on the back of a 1-1 draw in the home leg, conceding an injury-time equaliser to Glynor Plet.

Bruno Labbadia's men recorded a much-needed win at the weekend, a 1-0 success against Hoffenheim ending a run of five straight league defeats stretching back to before the winter break, and Holzhauser hopes they can put in a repeat performance at the Cristal Arena.

"I've heard it's a real cauldron," the Austria Under-21 international told the club website. "That will be really fantastic, but the late goal in the last game really does influence the situation for this match.

"If we can get a goal and remain as compact as we were against Hoffenheim, then I am not too worried."

The Belgian hosts also won at the weekend, seeing off Kortrijk 2-0 at home to make it three straight league victories.

They will be without injured top scorer Jelle Vossen on Thursday, meaning Plet, who came off the bench to replace him in the first leg to great effect, is set to start this time.

"I regret that Jelle is injured," he said. "Jelle is an important player for Genk, at all levels."

Plet, a summer signing from FC Twente, should prove a more than capable replacement, though. He has scored nine times in just six starts in the league in his debut season in Belgium and two from one start in Europe.

He has been used primarily as an impact substitute by boss Mario Been, coming off the bench 13 times in the league and six times in the Europa League, but Plet is more focused on ensuring his side go through rather than adding to his goal tally on Thursday.

"Scoring is nice, but the result of the team is what matters most," he added.

Stuttgart will be without midfielder Tunay Torun, who has not recovered from an injury he picked up in the first leg.